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Skyrim Vampire Companion: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Bloodsucking Allies

The world of Skyrim is vast and filled with dangers, making a reliable companion essential for survival. For players embracing the darker side of Tamriel, a Skyrim vampire companion can offer unique advantages and roleplaying opportunities. This guide delves into the best vampire companions Skyrim has to offer, exploring their abilities, how to acquire them, and the benefits they bring to your undead adventure. We will also explore the lore surrounding vampires in Skyrim, and how this impacts gameplay decisions.

Understanding Vampirism in Skyrim

Before seeking a Skyrim vampire companion, it’s crucial to understand how vampirism functions in the game. Vampirism is contracted through encounters with vampires, typically through the disease Sanguinare Vampiris. If left untreated, this disease progresses into full vampirism after three in-game days. As a vampire, your character gains both strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths of Vampirism

Increased Strength and Magicka: Vampires receive bonuses to their strength and magicka, enhancing combat and spellcasting abilities.
Resistances: Vampires are resistant to diseases and poison, making them more resilient to common threats.
Night Powers: Vampires gain access to unique abilities like Vampire’s Servant (reanimating a corpse) and Vampire’s Sight (night vision).

Weaknesses of Vampirism

Sunlight Weakness: Vampires are weaker during the day, suffering reduced health, magicka, and stamina regeneration while exposed to sunlight.
Fire Weakness: Vampires are more vulnerable to fire damage.
Feeding Requirement: Vampires must feed on blood regularly to maintain their powers and avoid becoming hostile to NPCs.

The Best Vampire Companions in Skyrim

While Skyrim doesn’t offer a vast selection of dedicated vampire followers, several potential companions can be turned into vampires through various means or are already vampires by default. Here are some of the most notable options for your Skyrim vampire companion needs:

Serana: The Dawnguard’s Enigmatic Vampire

Serana is arguably the most popular and well-developed Skyrim vampire companion. Introduced in the Dawnguard DLC, she’s an ancient pure-blood vampire with a compelling backstory and unique abilities. She is found within Dimhollow Crypt as part of the Dawnguard questline.

How to Acquire: Serana becomes a follower during the Dawnguard questline. You can side with either the Dawnguard or the Volkihar vampires to gain her as a companion, but she will always be essential to the storyline.
Abilities: Serana is a powerful mage who specializes in necromancy and conjuration. She can summon creatures, reanimate corpses, and cast powerful destruction spells. She also has unique dialogue options and contributes significantly to the Dawnguard’s narrative.
Benefits: Serana offers both combat prowess and engaging storytelling. Her constant commentary and unique perspective on the world add depth to the game. Her abilities make her a formidable ally in any situation.

Frea: The Skaal Shaman

Frea, a Nord shaman from the Dragonborn DLC, is not initially a vampire. However, with the use of console commands (PC only), she can be transformed into a vampire. While this is technically a modding exploit, it provides an interesting option for players seeking a unique Skyrim vampire companion.

How to Acquire: Frea becomes a follower during the Dragonborn DLC’s main questline. To turn her into a vampire, you would need to use console commands such as “setrace nordracevampire”. Be aware that this may cause unforeseen issues with her questline.
Abilities: As a shaman, Frea is skilled in both melee combat and magic. When turned into a vampire, she gains the standard vampire abilities and weaknesses, making her a versatile companion.
Benefits: Frea brings a unique cultural perspective to your adventures. Her knowledge of Skaal traditions and her combat skills make her a valuable asset. However, turning her into a vampire may disrupt her questline and cause conflicts.

Your Spouse: A Lovingly Undead Partner

Any marriageable NPC in Skyrim can be turned into a vampire after becoming your spouse. This provides a personal and customizable Skyrim vampire companion option. To turn your spouse, you must first become a vampire lord through the Dawnguard questline. Then, you can use the Vampire Lord’s Drain Life ability on your spouse multiple times until they contract Sanguinare Vampiris and eventually become a vampire.

How to Acquire: Marry an NPC through the Marriage questline. Then, become a Vampire Lord and infect your spouse with Sanguinare Vampiris.
Abilities: Your spouse will retain their original skills and abilities, but they will also gain the standard vampire powers and weaknesses.
Benefits: Having a vampire spouse offers a unique roleplaying experience. You can share the joys and challenges of vampirism with someone you care about. Additionally, your spouse can provide support in combat and manage your household.

Using Console Commands and Mods

For PC players, console commands and mods can unlock even more possibilities for finding a Skyrim vampire companion. Console commands can be used to turn nearly any NPC into a vampire, while mods can introduce entirely new vampire companions with custom quests and abilities. Be careful when using mods as they can conflict with each other. Always check the mod page for compatibility information.

Roleplaying as a Vampire with a Companion

Having a Skyrim vampire companion opens up exciting roleplaying opportunities. You can explore the moral dilemmas of vampirism together, decide whether to embrace your dark side or seek a cure, and build a unique bond with your undead ally. Will you feed on the innocent, or find more… creative means for sustenance? These choices define your playthrough.

Ethical Considerations

Vampirism in Skyrim is not without its moral implications. Feeding on humans can have negative consequences, affecting your reputation and potentially leading to conflicts with guards and other NPCs. Consider the ethical implications of your actions and how they affect your relationship with your companion.

Building a Vampire Coven

With multiple vampire companions, you can create your own vampire coven. Establish a base of operations, recruit new members, and dominate the region. Lead your coven on raids, uncover ancient secrets, and shape the destiny of Skyrim. [See also: Skyrim Modding Guide]. This is a popular playstyle for those who enjoy the evil side of the game.

Maintaining Your Vampire Companion

Keeping your Skyrim vampire companion happy and effective requires attention to their needs. Ensure they have adequate blood to feed on, protect them from sunlight and fire, and provide them with appropriate gear and training. A well-maintained companion will be a valuable asset in your undead adventures.

Feeding Strategies

Vampires need to feed on blood to survive. You can feed on sleeping NPCs, unsuspecting victims, or even your own livestock (if you own a farm). Be mindful of the consequences of your actions and choose your feeding strategies wisely. Some mods also add alternative feeding methods, such as blood potions.

Gear and Equipment

Equip your vampire companion with powerful weapons, armor, and accessories. Consider their skills and abilities when choosing their gear. For example, a mage companion would benefit from robes that enhance their magicka and regeneration, while a warrior companion would need strong armor and a deadly weapon.

Conclusion

A Skyrim vampire companion can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, offering unique abilities, engaging roleplaying opportunities, and valuable support in combat. Whether you choose Serana, transform your spouse, or create your own vampire follower with mods, the possibilities are endless. Embrace the darkness and embark on a thrilling undead adventure with your loyal bloodsucking ally. Remember to consider the ethical implications, maintain their needs, and build a strong bond with your companion. Skyrim is a dangerous place, and even more so for a vampire. So choose your companion wisely!